Current Medicinal Chemistry - Volume 21, Issue 33, 2014

In recent years, it has become more clear that metal intoxication represents a worldwide major health problem, both in developed and in emerging countries. Metal toxicity in humans may originate in different clinical settings, and may be related to multiple etiological factors including environmental, occupational, iatrogenic, and genetic ones. In this intriguing scientific and clinical contest, the need to bridge the gap bet Read More

This review is focused on the general mechanisms of metal toxicity in humans. The possible and mainly confirmed mechanisms of their action are discussed. The metals are divided into four groups due to their toxic effects. First group comprises of metal ions acting as Fenton reaction catalyst mainly iron and copper. These types of metal ions participate in generation of the reactive oxygen species. Metals such as nickel, cadmi Read More

Iron is a trace element required for normal performance of cellular processes. Because both the deficiency and excess of this metal are dangerous, its absorption, distribution and accumulation must be tightly regulated. Disturbances of iron homeostasis and an increase in its level may lead to overload and neurodegenerative diseases. Phlebotomy was for a long time the only way of removing excess iron. But since Read More

Iron and copper ions play important roles in many physiological functions of our body, even though the exact mechanisms regulating their absorption, distribution and excretion are not fully understood. Metal-related human pathology may be observed in two different clinical settings: deficiency or overload. The overload in liver cells of both trace elements leads to multiple cellular lesions. Here we report the main path Read More

Nutritional iron deficiency represents a relevant health problem mainly in developing countries. Children and pregnant women represent the main target of this disease, and the low amount of bio-available iron mostly depends on plant-based diets. Iron deficiency may have serious consequences, with severe impairment of the immune function leading to infectious diseases. The brain development in embryos and fe Read More

Copper is present in different concentrations and chemical forms throughout the earth crust, surface and deep water and even, in trace amounts, in the atmosphere itself. Copper is one of the first metals used by humans, the first artifacts dating back 10,000 years ago. Currently, the world production of refined copper exceeds 16,000 tons / year. Copper is a micro-element essential to life, principally for its red-ox properties Read More

Both mercury(II) and monomethyl mercury(II) poisonings are of great concern for several reasons. As it happens for other metals, chelation therapy is the most indicated treatment for poisoned patients. The efficacy of the therapy and the reduction of side-effects can be sensibly enhanced by an accurate knowledge of all the physiological mechanisms involved in metal uptake, transport within and between various Read More

Nowadays more than thousands of different nanoparticles are known, though no well-defined guidelines to evaluate their potential toxicity and to control their exposure are fully provided. The way of entry of nanoparticles together with their specificities such as chemistry, chemical composition, size, shape or morphology, surface charge and area can influence their biological activities and effects. A specific property Read More

In recent years, evidence is growing on the role played by gestational factors in shaping brain development and on the influence of intrauterine experiences on later development of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The nine months of intrauterine development and the first three years of postnatal life are appearing to be extremely critical for making connections amon Read More